User Fees

The Obama administration defended its fiscal 2013 budget proposal for a surcharge of $100 per flight, insisting to general aviation supporters in Congress that user fees would generate $10 billion over 10 years and spread costs "more equitably."

Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), a member of the House General Aviation Caucus gave more than 50 AOPA members in Conroe, Texas, an overview of general aviation issues in Washington, D.C., during a recent town hall meeting that the association helped to organize.

Like many pilots, Bob Fahnespock is disconcerted about the Obama administration's proposed $100-per-flight fee for turbine aircraft that use air traffic services. His heartburn intensified this week after government officials used his FBO's facilities during the president's recent visit to Boulder City, Nev., and balked at the idea of paying $200 for the services.

A groundswell of opposition awaits the Obama administration's proposal for a $100 aviation user fee if it ever reaches the House floor--but it won't, said House aviation subcommittee Chairman Tom Petri (R-Wis.). Petri on March 1 fired off a letter bearing 195 congressional signatures to President Barack Obama, reminding him that user fees have been proposed by presidents of both parties but were overwhelmingly defeated each time.

The Senate, following up on House action last week, has passed a four-year, $63.4 billion FAA reauthorization bill with no user fees or fuel-tax increases. The bill, now headed to the desk of President Barack Obama for signing, would give the FAA its first long-term operating authority since 2007.

What are the chances of stopping the latest push for user fees, one attendee asked during AOPA President Craig Fuller's pilot town hall Jan. 20 at the Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Florida. The odds are good, Fuller said - this year, at least.